Schools reopen Tuesday in Gloucester, Mathews

The familiar sight of school buses will return to local roads next week as classes begin Tuesday morning for the more than 6,500 public school students in Gloucester and Mathews counties.
In Gloucester

Gloucester County Public Schools projects it will have 5,430 children enrolled for the 2014-2015 school session, about 88 fewer students than the school division had last September.

The division had some leadership changes over the summer break, including the appointment of Walter Clemons as the new superintendent of schools. Also, Nathan Collins was appointed as the top administrator at Gloucester High School.

The eight county schools have held open houses for students and parents this week, with the last sessions scheduled from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. today at the five elementary schools.

Although most teachers returned to work at their respective schools on Aug. 18, the Petsworth Elementary School faculty gathered at the T.C. Walker Education Center for their professional development sessions.

A $2.9 million roofing and HVAC replacement project at Petsworth forced teachers to pack up their classrooms last spring. Final cleanup from the project was ongoing this week, but all teachers had been restored to their classrooms as of yesterday.

“All the other schools are ready to go,” said division assistant superintendent John Hutchinson.